Toyota Recalls More Than 400,000 Cars For Faulty Brakes

Hey! The rumors were true! Toyota is recalling more cars! This time they are hauling you back to the dealer for a braking problem that is affecting several of their hybrid models — including the 2010 Prius, the Sai, which is not sold in the U.S., the plug-in version of the Prius, and the Lexus HS250h. They are also recalling 7,300 Camrys for a completely different problem.

In a statement on their website, Toyota says that the repair will update the software in the hybird vehicles’ anti-lock braking system. This will correct the “inconsistent” braking (this is press release language for ‘when I hit a bump my $@#$@#% brakes don’t work, holy @#$&!’ ) that was the subject of over 100 complaints to NHTSA.

“As part of the quality improvement program announced by Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, our company is undertaking a top to bottom review to ensure that our vehicles meet our own high standards of safety and reliability, now and for the future. We are taking steps to implement more stringent quality control across the company, to investigate customer complaints more aggressively and to respond more quickly to any safety issues we identify,” wrote Toyota in the statement.

Additionally, Toyota is also recalling “7,300 early production – 2010 model year 4 cylinder Camry vehicles.” The company wants to inspect for a power steering hose that may be in contact with a front brake tube.

“This contact could lead to a hole in the brake tube and cause a brake fluid leak, increased brake pedal stroke and greater vehicle stopping distance.” That is also press release talk for “holy @#$%, my brakes don’t work!”

Toyota says they will begin informing owners by mail starting “in the middle of February.”

If you’re confused by all this, you can check out their recall page and see if your car is affected. They should be updating this site soon with information about the two most recent recalls.

Recalls Underscore Toyota’s Commitment to Address All Vehicle Quality and Safety Issues Promptly and Effectively (Press Release) [Toyota]

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